Letter #60 05/26/14

Happy Memorials Day! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and remembering the loved ones in their lives who have passed on and led great honorable lives. 

This week has been really great and productive for us! We were able to stay busy all week (which has been rare, especially just covering one area). 

Tuesday, I got to go on exchanges again with Sister Tauiliili (from Samoa) and we had a great day together. We finally have begun teaching Minda and she is just amazing. She seems to already have a great understanding of the principles we teach and has had no objections or things she's questioned. We're going to be teaching her again tomorrow and I'm just so excited to see where things go for Minda. It was fun because Sister Tauiliili knew some Tagalog and so they had fun trying to have some brief conversations. We were also able to teach Lisa about the Plan of Salvation which was great because we have been visiting her since March and finally were able to teach a lesson. Although it was more just "practicing", it still was an opportunity to teach her about our gospel. She enjoyed it as well. Hopefully these things are all continuing to soften her heart. 

Wednesday, we went to the Madsen's to practice the lessons on them again (the kids are struggling in the gospel) and it was neat as the daughter's friend, Renee showed up and was fine listening in and seemed really interested. In fact, she was excited to be there for our next lesson this week. They live next door and have had a good amount of exposure to the church, her mom has even read the Book of Mormon twice, but not all the family members have been interested which I think is what has put up the roadblock. But they may receive the gospel through their daughter. It's just fun to see these people of all ages being prepared and receptive to the gospel message that we share!

Throughout the week, we have been able to see people who we have tried before but haven't seen in a while and are just being more receptive. Sometimes the time inbetween helps so they don't feel any pressure, but it's great that they are willing to let us in and share a message and invite them to come more unto Christ. 

Friday night, we had a great visit with Billie. We have continued reading the Book of Mormon with her and did more on Tuesday, but Friday we felt prompted to talk to her more about prayer, partially because she hasn't felt comfortable in the past to pray when we're their. She was able to share how she has felt her relationship with the Savior has increased as we've been teaching her. She feels a more genuine love for those around her, which was there before, but now even stronger. We shared with her Mosiah 18:8-10 which talks about the love for our brothers and sisters where we are" willing to bear one another's burdens" and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort". She said that is how she is feeling. We had done a roleplay earlier that day and Sister Worden felt prompted in the roleplay to invite Billie, again, to be baptized and so in verse 10 we shared that with her and I invited her to be baptized. Although she still said she is not yet ready, her excuses were not so many this time and we can definitely tell her heart is being prepared more. She is out of town this week and we are praying that through this time she might have an experience and receive an answer to her question of the "next step". 

Saturday, we stayed surprisingly busy for being Memorial Day weekend. In the morning we went to help Lisa with weeds in her backyard. We knew it would be a lot of work and so we asked the elders in our district to come as well (8 of us total). We got the back yard done in about 2 hours, right in time for her landlord to come check on the sprinklers. She was super grateful for that and really mindful of the timing. I'm glad we could help since she can't do this work with her MS. Again, I just see these opportunities as softening her heart and preparing her more. It was great to service anyways :) We went to contact a referral later in the day, a neighbor of one of our members. The not so great part was that he was pretty quick about not being interested, but THEN the miracle happen when his daughter walked  up to the house as we were heading back to the car. She had been walking her dog who was the easy conversation-starter and we were able to visit with her and she was willing to take our number for future contact. It may not have been an immediate contact, but maybe we were meant to contact that man for his daughter. There is timing and reasoning in all things. Some we may not know right away or even in the lifetime.

Yesterday, was a great day at church with some powerful talks and lessons. They were things that I needed to hear and my companion needed to hear as well. Later on, we had an experience that I know Sister Worden is still going to give me a hard time about. We had to have dinner with one of the families right after church because they had other engagements in the early evening, but I had also agreed for us to have dinner with another family after. I was hungry when they asked us if they could feed us. Mistake #1. Haha. These meals were back to back and ironically the same meal (Hawaiian haystacks, my fav out here!). We were so stuffed though after the second meal and my companion even felt a little sick. I was figuring, I've done it before on the mission (unintentionally) and I was really hungry. But I don't think it was worth it! Haha. I was reminded, we can't eat like the elders ;) It was still a great night with the members though. 

I am so grateful for this work that I am able to be a part of. I continue to learn so much all the time. Sometimes I am humbled and sometimes I learn something new. I am grateful to be reminded that we are not perfect, but through the Savior, we can become complete. When we are reminded of our weaknesses, it is not for us to be hard on ourselves, but and opportunity to grow. I have grown a lot and am still far from perfect, but am becoming better every day as I learn about my potential and what my Father sees in me. Sometimes we are looking for something new, but I have also learned that it is important to not forget what we already have and to not neglect those things that took time and prayerful preparation to put together. We have been blessed with so much and we can find gratitude in any circumstance! I love you all and hope you have a great rest of your week :)

Love,

Sister Wightman

05/19/14 photo

Our finished Lumpia (Minda and me)

Letter #59 05/19/14

It's raining cotton!!! I know that sounds weird, but there are some cotton trees near our neighborhood and with the wind blowing, we have had cotton just floating everywhere. It's really weird, but thank goodness I'm not allergic :)

Other than that, it's been a great week! So many things have happened this past week. Monday night, Sister Worden and I were in charge of the Family Home Evening at the retired apartment complex (55 and older residence). We decided to do a game of Jeopardy on prophets from the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon and Latter-days. It was pretty fun! We even had a couple gentlemen attend who haven't come to church in a while and they seemed to enjoy it too. One thing I love about the "more mature folk" is their sense of humor. They crack me up every week. I'm glad we have this community in our area to visit. 

We were able to see Billie a few times this week. We have just been reading the Book of Mormon with her to help her understand and so we read with her on Tuesday and Friday. She's really enjoying it and I love her comments on the impressions and understandings she gets from it and how she's able to apply it to her own life. It's amazing how we're always learning, no matter how many times we've heard something! Billie seems to be progressing more and more every time we see her and I know that she is really coming to understand Christ more in her life. She shared with us this week how through the lessons, she has come to really understand what the Atonement of Christ means for her and how she doesn't have to carry that burden of guilt or pain because He's already paid the price for her and she just has to hand it over to Him. It's so true! His love and sacrifice were not just for our sins, but for our pains and weaknesses and trials too. What a wonderful gift, if we just USE it!

Wednesday, we had Zone Conference. Sister Worden and I were asked to do a training on the Doctrine of Christ and we talked about how faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end all relate to the Atonement and how understand these principles help us to access the Atonement and come unto Christ. It came out really well and we were able to teach well together. I was asked to accompany an elder as he sang the 2014 youth's theme song "Come Unto Christ". It is a beautiful piece and I'm glad I was able to help him. We were also trained by our mission president on the importance of the family as this is something that the world is attacking/being attacked on. The Family is such a key part of our doctrine as it is what gives us purpose and understanding and hope. We are a part of our Heavenly Father's family and He wants all of His children to continue to be with Him and that's why He's established families  here on earth to continue that relationship and have that support and strength. The family IS ordained of God and the roles within the family are essential to carry out God's plan for all of His children to gain a physical body and experience and to return to His presence again one day. There is definitely no coincidence that the Prophet and other church leaders have talked a lot lately about standing up for what we believe and, although being courteous, still staying strong and not conforming to please man. If there's something you believe in, stick with it! Don't worry about what others may think, that's YOUR belief and you are entitled to that! Zone Conference was also a little bittersweet because I didn't realize this coming into it, but it was my last one. Although I still have a few month left in my mission, the time is quickly drawing to an end. I had to give my final testimony and I pretty much cried through it all, but I was really able to reflect on this last year or so and see how much I have grown and what I have really come to know. At the end of the day, I have really learned to trust God, in His way and His time. That's what's gotten me to the point I'm at now and I know it will continue to carry me through the many more adventures I will have in this life. How grateful I am for Him!

After Zone Conference, Sister Worden and I decided to plan a little surprise for a couple in the ward. They have grown very dear to us and have been struggling with a lot of things lately (emotionally, physically and financially) and they mentioned that they probably wouldn't have enough means to celebrate their wedding anniversary that day. We called up their visiting teachers who offered to prepare a nice meal and we worked with the husband to let us sneak into the house and decorate their home so they could have a nice anniversary dinner together and not have to worry about anything. I love doing these kinds of things! It looked great by the time we left and the report from the husband was that his wife's reaction was priceless. We told him "mums the word" on who put it together, but I'm glad we were able to do something special for this couple and to remind them that they are always thought of and we can find joy even in the hard times. 

Thursday, we went over to Minda's (the lady from the Philippines) and she taught us how to make Lumpia (Filipino spring rolls). It was so much fun, and not too hard. She gave us a ton to take home and enjoy. We did :) As we talked with her more, she continued to share with us her relationship with the Savior and it is just amazing to hear the great faith she has. We asked her if she would be willing to hear the lessons and she agreed! We will be teaching her the first lesson tomorrow and we are all excited about it. This woman has been prepared and is willing and ready to come unto Christ. 

Saturday was a nice day and we decided to do some tracting in our area. Although we didn't have too much success, we were able to talk to quite a few people and get to know our neighbors a little better. Later, the ward put on a Dutch Oven Cook-off to teach different ways of non-electric cooking. We got to borrow a dutch oven from our ward mission leader and with the help of Billie, we cooked a strawberry cobbler. It was a great turnout from the ward (adults only) and a great opportunity for Billie to get to know more people in the ward. I think very successful. At the end we ate potluck style and enjoyed 10-hour smoked pulled pork, potato/veggie medleys, chicken, cornbread and yummy cobblers and cakes all done by dutch ovens, solar ovens, smokers, portable stoves, and a few more that were creative but I can't remember their names haha. It's good to know that in an emergency, other forms of cooking are just as yummy :) 

Overall, it was a wonderful week with lots of lessons learned and progression made and miracles seen. I have such a testimony of diligence and perseverance. We usually don't see the fruits of our labors immediately in life, but we have to keep trying or we'll never know. We CAN make an impact with those around us. I have seen it so much these last 14 months and I am grateful I've finally gotten it. I hope you all have a fabulous week and continue to see the little miracles in your lives every day :)

Love,

Sister Wightman

Family Values

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." –David O. McKay

To read more:

http://www.mormon.org/values/family

The Family

THE FAMILY

A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

To read more: 

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

Letter #58 05/12/14

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! I loved getting to talk to my mom and dad and to hear their voices. I am so grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me and the continued love they've shown to me! 

Earlier this week I wanted to stop by Billie's (one of our investigators) because she had to cancel our lesson last week and couldn't come to church because she and her daughter were still sick. I'm so glad we did. We got to just catch up with her and she how she was doing. As we asked her about her Book of Mormon reading and how she feels her relationship with Heavenly Father is right now, she expressed that it has not been good since she has not been reading or praying as much and hasn't made it to church recently. In my head I'm thinking, "Ok, well what to do you NEED to be doing?" and as soon as I thought that, Billie expressed that those were the things she needed to be doing because she felt a difference in her life when she was and wasn't and when we were there. She is definitely recognizing the Spirit and I'm grateful that she notices a difference to help her understand for herself what she should do, not just because we're asking her to. We are meeting with her tomorrow night to help her continue in her Book of Mormon reading. She has loved it so far and really connected with Nephi so I'm excited to see how she continues!

Wednesday, I was on exchanges and had Sister Molbek (from Denmark) with me. She is awesome! We had a really neat experience as we went to visit a lady who has been attending our ward with her husband since she moved here from the Philippines, but is not a member. She doesn't work and doesn't drive so she's alone all day. We went over and she made us cookies (yummy!). It was amazing as she so easily brought up gospel discussions and shared how she's seen the Lord's love in her life with all the trials and experiences she's had growing up in the Philippines. I am so excited to continue meet with her and help to understand the gospel even more. She appreciated our visit so much and is having us come back again next week to teach us how to make Lumpia (Filipino egg roles)!

Saturday, we decided to do some service for some people who we know needed weeding. One of them, the Higgins, are so sweet but refuse to let us serve them (think that sisters shouldn't do that kind of work). So we just came over and started working in their front yard. We weeded for about 20 minutes before Debbie came out asking what we were doing (she wasn't angry just didn't want us to have to do that). She then got a bag and started helping too. People seem to have a hard time letting us others serve them out here. It's frustrating haha! But I'm glad we still made a pretty big dent there. 

Later that afternoon, we had a lesson at Bob's. He had knee surgery today and so we had some brethren come over with us and give him a priesthood blessing. It was great as the last time he had experienced that was for his wife before she passed away, so I think it brought back some special feelings. We then taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his faith definitely increased. I am so grateful to have other members come with us because the things they share really add in ways we can't. At the end we asked him to pray about the message we had shared that day and I asked him if he received an answer that it was true, what his next step would be. He simply said, "Well, it would be baptism.". I just love seeing people's countenance change as they become converted and see the gospel change them! We will keep praying for him and hoping things still continue on a good path as he will probably be out for a little while while recovering from his surgery. 

Yesterday at church, the brethren passed out little potted flowers to all the sisters for Mother's Day. They gave Sister Worden and I the leftovers to deliver to sisters that either don't come to church or haven't been in a while. That was neat just to see their faces light and up to remind them that they are thought of :)

I am so grateful this gospel and the importance that I have learned of the roles in the family. In this day in age where gender roles are being challenged, it is so important to remember the reason for families and how they are established how each gender plays a part. The family is ordained of God and is a blessing in our life when we understand that we are a part of a Heavenly family and are children of God. Our earthly families are just an extension of our Heavenly family and happiness can be enjoyed when we understand and appreciate and respect our families. I find so much joy in knowing these things and knowing that my family can be together forever. It definitely changes the way I choose to live my life now so that I can obtain those blessings later. I know by choosing the right, serving others, and following my Savior, I can receive those blessings and truly have joy in this life and peace forever. I love you all and hope you have a great week cherishing your relationships with those around and understanding that you too are a child of God.

Love,

Sister Wightman

It was Mom